Botha endorses foreign promoters
CHARISMATIC former International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Federation (WBF) heavyweight world boxing champion Francois “White Buffalo” Botha says the growing trend of SA boxers signing with international promoters not only benefits those boxers’ careers financially but also serves as a vehicle to market South Africa to the world.
Botha, originally from Witbank, relocated to the US to chase his dream. It was tough at first, he said, because he ended up chopping wood for $5 an hour before his big break came. “After an 18zero record in one year, I got the chance to take on Mike Hunter. I won the fight and doors opened,” said Botha, now based in Durban.
He said controversial promoter Don King signed him and gave the boxer $50 000 cash. “I felt like a rich guy and that was just the start of it for me as the paydays started coming,” said Botha, who estimated that he racked up more than $9-million in earnings during his career. He fought some of the biggest names, such as Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and
My big payday was in 1999 when I got $3m to fight Tyson
Wladimir Klitschko.
“My biggest payday was in 1999 when I got $3-million to fight Mike Tyson [he lost by a knockout in the fifth round],” said Botha, a fearless warrior in his day.
“Just think of being 20-0 in a year. That would not happen here. I would not have fought so many fights here because you are lucky to fight three times for R30 000 in a year.”
He has a high regard for Golden Gloves boss Rodney Berman.
“But Rodney, alone, cannot look after all local boxers,” he said. “Laws here also need to change. In South Africa you fight this weekend for small money, get knocked out and you will be suspended for 30, 60 or 90 days. Before you know it, the year is over and you have no money.”
He says a boxer can be in action every weekend in the US.
Chris van Heerden, the USbased high-volume puncher, was unlucky that his promoter who advised him to relinquish his IBO welterweight belt when he arrived in the US in 2014, passed on. He is now stuck there because of his contract. Van Heerden has won three of his four fights on foreign soil.
“That was just unlucky,” said Botha. “My advice to boxers who have already signed with international promoters is toughen up, boys. You must be tough, dedicated and ambitious. Action is centred in Gauteng and East London here. What about boxers in other places?”